Tributes to Thurso minister who was 'a man of principle'
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THE Rev Ronnie Johnstone, who has died at the age of 73, was described today as "a man of strong principle" and "a pillar of the community".
The retired Thurso West minister passed away suddenly at his home in Halkirk on Friday.
He came to Caithness in 1984 after serving at Pollokshaws Parish Church in Glasgow and remained in his post in the far north for 27 years until he retired in 2011. He then became clerk to the Caithness presbytery – a post he held until December 2018 when he was succeeded by the Rev Heather Stewart.
She said the Rev Johnstone was "a man of strong principle" and someone who cared about justice and human rights but was also "a gentle and wise man" who was very interested in people.
Mrs Stewart said: "He enriched the presbytery with his great passion for the church and the gospel. His wisdom and guidance will be sadly missed, but he will be missed most as a family man."
She said Mr Johnstone was an ambassador for the church and was respected locally and nationally. He was "very active in the wider community" and was involved in many organisations, including Dounreay Stakeholder Group (DSG), the Rotary Club of Thurso, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the NHS redesign team as well as the Royal British Legion.
Roger Saxon, the DSG chairman, said: "He told it like it was and was never afraid to ruffle a few feathers if he had to. He was a great friend and will be sadly missed."
He was a man of great intellect and humour, never afraid to speak up on local issues.
Former DSG chairman David Flear said Mr Johnstone had "an independent mind and was more than happy to use that independent mind".
He added: "I had a great deal of respect for him and am saddened by his sudden demise. He was a pillar of the community and very progressive in his thoughts. He brought a new angle to things and frequently challenged the establishment and was often right in what he was saying.
"He was on the ball, put people first and was a very capable member of the DSG. He will be a great loss."
Paul Hagan, of the Rotary Club of Thurso, said: "Ronnie was a long-serving, popular member and past president of the club. He was greatly involved in Rotary and believed strongly in its principles of service above self.
"He was a man of great intellect and humour, a fine public speaker and was never afraid to speak up on local issues to support the local community."
Mr Johnstone is survived by his wife Freda and daughters Pauline and Rachael, sons-in-law Christopher and Giorgio and grandchildren Kieran and Lorenzo.
His funeral service takes place in Thurso West Church on Saturday at noon and thereafter to Thurso cemetery.
